- Jul 20, 2016
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As I started to pick up my usual organic coconut oil, I saw another jar with a label saying "cold press" and "extra virgin". I have to admit that I was not aware of different grades in this oil because I buy organic. Wow - there is a whole lot going on in this industry, and now I see it is a buyer beware situation. I thought this would be a simple post, but instead, my head is bouncing around with all the info. This always seems to happen when something gets popular. Remember the scandals with adulterated olive oil?
Step 1 - source of oil
Some oils are derived from copra, which is dried coconut meat. It may have been smoked and/or stored for a long time.
Other oils are made from the fresh coconut meat and may be labeled virgin oil. However, there are no set standards, so you have to read the label carefully.
It does not appear that GMOs have moved into this crop, yet.
Step 2 - how is the oil extracted
The dry process is used with copra and solvents, which produce a mash.
The wet process uses centrifugal machines or expeller presses with fresh coconut meat. This usually is labeled as virgin oil. Some companies are calling their products extra-virgin, but from what I've read, this is not an industry delineation but perhaps a way to charge more money. In other words, extra-virgin is the same as virgin. Also, a product may be labeled expeller pressed but has gone through high heat or solvent purification.
Step 3 - purification
Natural means minor processing
RBD means refined, bleached, deodorized.
Confused yet? Yep, me, too. So now to look at the 2 jars I have. Oops - got sucked in with the "extra" label.
Garden of Life - Raw, Extra-virgin, certified organic, expeller cold-press, made in Philippines and bottled in Canada
Natural Grocers - Certified organic, extra-virgin, cold-press, made in Sri Lanka
I have shopping options for organic foods, but if I did not, I would read the label carefully and look for raw, virgin, expeller/cold pressed.
Here is a link with a lot of info, if you really want to understand the ins and outs of the coconut oil industry.
http://virginoildecococreme.com/types-classifications-of-coconut-oils/#
Step 1 - source of oil
Some oils are derived from copra, which is dried coconut meat. It may have been smoked and/or stored for a long time.
Other oils are made from the fresh coconut meat and may be labeled virgin oil. However, there are no set standards, so you have to read the label carefully.
It does not appear that GMOs have moved into this crop, yet.
Step 2 - how is the oil extracted
The dry process is used with copra and solvents, which produce a mash.
The wet process uses centrifugal machines or expeller presses with fresh coconut meat. This usually is labeled as virgin oil. Some companies are calling their products extra-virgin, but from what I've read, this is not an industry delineation but perhaps a way to charge more money. In other words, extra-virgin is the same as virgin. Also, a product may be labeled expeller pressed but has gone through high heat or solvent purification.
Step 3 - purification
Natural means minor processing
RBD means refined, bleached, deodorized.
Confused yet? Yep, me, too. So now to look at the 2 jars I have. Oops - got sucked in with the "extra" label.
Garden of Life - Raw, Extra-virgin, certified organic, expeller cold-press, made in Philippines and bottled in Canada
Natural Grocers - Certified organic, extra-virgin, cold-press, made in Sri Lanka
I have shopping options for organic foods, but if I did not, I would read the label carefully and look for raw, virgin, expeller/cold pressed.
Here is a link with a lot of info, if you really want to understand the ins and outs of the coconut oil industry.
http://virginoildecococreme.com/types-classifications-of-coconut-oils/#